Package Details:

• Seasonally Crafted, Customizable Farm-to-Table Dinner at Stratford Led by Private Chef John Lawrence for Up to 12 Guests (Adults Only). Must Be Booked by December 31, 2026 and Redeemed by November 1, 2027. Subject to Availability at the Time of Booking.

What You'll Get:

Gather around a single table at Stratford for an unforgettable farm-to-table dining experience with Private Chef John Lawrence. Chef John's twenty years of experience in Forbes Five-Star kitchens brings exceptional culinary craft and thoughtful hospitality to this one-of-a-kind private dinner for up to 12 guests.

The menu won't be written months in advance. It will be created the week of your dinner, inspired by what's growing and ready in Stratford's fields and gardens. Chef John will walk the land with Stratford's farmer the week of your dinner to create a 4-5 course dinner featuring the season's best offerings. Choose between an elegant plated experience or a more relaxed family-style meal, depending on your preference. Every part of the experience is fully customizable.

Several courses may be finished over live fire outdoors, giving you a front-row seat as your dinner comes to life. Each course will be paired with a creative, non-alcoholic beverage inspired by the same landscape, from herb infusions and fruit shrubs to fermented sodas and cold tisanes. Chef John will introduce each course himself, sharing the ingredients, inspiration, and even which part of Stratford's land contributed to what's on your plate.

As you settle in for the evening, take in the sights and sounds of the farm around you...the rooster calling in the distance, the fields stretching toward the horizon, and the setting sun casting a warm glow across the landscape. Then linger around the table with good company and exceptional food, savoring a truly unique evening where Stratford's harvest takes center stage.

This isn't simply a meal, it's a connection to the land, the food it provides, and one another.

Package Details:

• 2.5-Hour Birthday Party for Up to 10 Kids at Stratford Ecological Center, Farm Tour and Kid-Friendly Lunch Included. For the Safety of the Participants and Animals, the Tour Is Limited to a Maximum of 10 Participants. Families Are Welcome to Bring Their Own Decorations to Make the Celebration Complete. Must Book by December 31, 2026. Must Be Redeemed by December 31, 2027.
• $75 Toward Custom Cake From Caked by Amanda's Cakery. Must Be Used by 8/28/27, Two-Week Minimum Notice and Subject to Availability at Time of Booking (Advance Notice Recommended).

What You'll Get:

Make your child's birthday unforgettable with a one-of-a-kind celebration at Stratford Ecological Center! This exclusive auction package offers a rare opportunity to celebrate a birthday at Stratford. This is a special experience Stratford cannot typically offer due to the education programming schedule and the needs of the farm and nature preserve.

This package includes a 2.5-hour birthday party for up to 10 kids featuring a farm and nature tour where young explorers can discover the wonders of Stratford's working farm and natural spaces. Enjoy a kid friendly lunch homemade by beloved Stratford Volunteer, Ann Kloss before or after the tour. Families are welcome to bring their own decorations to complete the celebration. The party is made even sweeter with $75 toward a custom cake from Caked by Amanda's Cakery. Perfect for curious kids who love animals, nature, and adventure!

*Please note: Birthday parties are not a regularly offered Stratford program and are only available through this special auction opportunity.

Package Details:

• Signed Hardback Copy of Common Spiders of North America by Rich Bradley ("Spiderman").
• Guided Spider Night Hike at Stratford With Author and Spider Expert Rich Bradley. Available September 9-12, 2026, for the Best Opportunity to Observe Prime Spider Activity Before the End of the Season. Experience Time Frame Can Be Customized, Though a Start at Dusk and a Duration of 90+ Minutes Are Recommended, Depending on Interest Level.

What You'll Get:

Discover the fascinating world of spiders with a unique nighttime adventure led by Rich Bradley. This package includes a signed hardback copy of Common Spiders of North America and a guided spider night hike at Stratford where you'll explore the hidden lives of these incredible creatures after dark. Learn how to identify local species, uncover the secrets of nocturnal wildlife, and gain a whole new appreciation for one of nature's most misunderstood animals. Perfect for curious minds, nature enthusiasts, and anyone ready to see the world around them in a different light.

Package Details:

• Two Guaranteed Spots for Farm Camp; Summer 2027 at Stratford. 2027 Dates for Specific Age Groups to Be Determined, 2027 Camp Dates Will Be Announced in December 2026. Schedule by January 10, 2027.

What You'll Get:

Skip the early morning scramble with guaranteed two spots at Farm Camp! Farm Camp sells out very quickly each year with an extended waitlist, making this your only opportunity to guarantee a place for a child and their best nature-loving friend.

At Farm Camp, the easy rhythms of the farm carry children from farm chores to summer play and back again. Days become adventures as they explore the forest, turn nature into art, care for animals, discover the joys of planting and tasting things straight from the garden and so much more. Along the way, they'll get their hands and boots dirty, build confidence, and make friendships and memories that last long after camp is over.

This package brings you peace of mind to guarantee your child's favorite camp of the summer is on the calendar! No refreshing. No waiting. No hoping you get in off the waitlist. Simply two guaranteed Farm Camp spots for an unforgettable week of adventure, friendship, and connection to the land.

Package Details:

• Guided Two-Hour Bird Walk for Up to 8 People at Stratford. Choose the Season for a Unique Birding Experience. Must Be Booked by December 31, 2026, and Redeemed by April 30, 2027.
• Handcrafted Wood Suet Feeder.
• Handcrafted Wood Bluebird House.
  
• Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America - Seventh Edition

What You'll Get:

Curious about the birds that call Stratford home? Join Stratford volunteer educator and birding expert, Susan Wasmund for a private, two-hour guided bird walk and discover the fascinating world of birds through the trails of Stratford Ecological Center.

Learn how to identify birds by their field marks and characteristics, explore the importance of migration and habitat, and get answers to all your birding questions. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, you'll leave with new skills and a greater appreciation for Stratford's feathered residents.

Then bring the experience home with a handmade wooden bluebird box and suet feeder - perfect for welcoming feathered friends to your own backyard!

Package Details:

• Pressed and Framed Four-Leaf Clovers Found at Stratford.
• $100 Worth of Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets.

What You'll Get:

Bring home a little extra luck with this charming package! It includes pressed and framed four-leaf clovers found at Stratford Ecological Center, paired with $100 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. Whether the clovers bring you luck or the scratch-offs do, this package is sure to have you feeling lucky!